Boston Wednesday June 1762 dear Eunice,

I came off & forgot the peices of my Banyan & eke my Gown & perhaps other things, which to a Bachelor must needs be a sore Misfortune. If Mr. Adams comes to Taunton next week as he proposes pray send 'em by him if he can bring 'em.

I am sorry at the Occason of disturbing yr. Mind with a peice of Meloncholly News, but as you may possibly hear many Reports, I write what you may depend on. Mr. Abiall Leonard1 last Week on Saturday as he was returning to Scituate to take leave of the People was seized with Distraction sometimes Dumb & inattentive, sometimes Raving. His Mother was sent for & was seen on the Rode. We had various accounts in Town, but Dr. Stockbridge2 being here I went to him, from whom I had the perticulars. He saith he has the Symptoms of long Distraction but his life in no apparent danger.

Thus we see the frailty of that life wch. some groan under the Burthen of some pray for the Continuance of, which many perplex with Care & vain persuits, as many embitter with feuds & animositys, which all desire with anxious Concern & yet for the most part lavish away in Trifles & impertinences; for what is life without Reason; May that Being whose223fatherly Care superintends all his Works preserve to us our Intellectual Powers & direct us in the use of 'em.

I have Recd. a letter from Cozin Edmund giving an account of the Death of Uncle & desireing yr. Company at Court &c. I just now packing up to return home. Let me hear by Mr. Adams every thing you desire relating to our intended Journey, Yr. loving Brother

R.T. PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Miss Eunice Paine at German Town"; endorsed.

1.

Abiel Leonard (1740–1777) recovered to become a minister of the church in Woodstock, Conn. (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 14:450–456).

2.

Dr. Benjamin Stockbridge (1704–1788) of Scituate had an extensive medical practice which ranged as far as Falmouth, Worcester, and Ipswich (NEHGR 135[1981]: 36–39).